USFL College Draft: New Jersey Generals select Jalen Holson with No. 69 overall pick

The New Jersey Generals selected former Virginia Tech running back Jalen Holston with the No. 69 overall pick in the 2023 USFL Draft. He ranked second on the Hokies last season in careers and rushing yards ending the 2022 season with 90 carries for 321 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Holston was the No. 637 overall high school recruit in the 2017 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Holston spent six seasons in Blacksburg with the Hokies, missing the 2019 season after suffering an injury in the team’s first game of the season. His finale season at Virginia Tech was his most productive, notching career highs in carries, rushing yards, receptions, and receiving yards, capping off the season with a 99-yard, three-touchdown performance versus Liberty.

This pick is a nice one ‼️

With the 69th pick in the 2023 USFL College Draft, we select RB @fourscoob #InTheTrenches 🎖🫡 pic.twitter.com/sdDgwCcSqP

— New Jersey Generals (@USFLGenerals) February 21, 2023

More on the state of the USFL

Last year was the initial season for the USFL, which also resulted in some history for spring football. The USFL was the first league in 40 years to have a successful inaugural season and then come back for a second season.

All eight USFL teams are remotely participating in this year’s draft, drafting the rights to 80 players who are eligible for the draft from a pool of 3,000 players. In order to be eligible for the USFL Draft, athletes must be out of high school for at least three years and either used all of their college eligibility, or waived it. Junior college players can request eligibility after being out of high school for two years and not be enrolled in a four-year school.

“We are building the USFL for long-term success and our first-ever College Draft demonstrates our clear focus on building winning teams for Season 2, Season 3, and beyond,” Daryl Johnston, the USFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, said. “The USFL will continue to search for and evaluate the best players to join our league. We are excited to see who the next KaVontae Turpin will be to turn an opportunity with the USFL into a springboard for success in the NFL. Conducting our inaugural College Draft shows that the USFL is committed to providing these talented players an alternative route to pursue their professional football dreams.”